Imagine being thrust into a high-stakes game of deception, only to discover you’re not the mastermind but the unsuspecting target. That’s exactly what happened to Maz Bana, a former police officer turned civil servant, who found himself at the center of The Traitors—BBC’s gripping reality series that blends suspense with psychological intrigue. In a shocking twist, Maz, a 59-year-old from Preston, Lancashire, became the third contestant to meet his fate in the show’s explosive episode, learning his destiny while confined in a cage. But here’s where it gets intriguing: Maz had initially hoped to play the role of a traitor, craving a break from his lifelong commitment to being ‘on the right side of the law.’
Hosted by the charismatic Claudia Winkleman, The Traitors pits 22 contestants against each other, divided into two factions: the faithfuls and the traitors. The faithfuls must unmask the traitors before falling victim to their schemes, while the traitors aim to eliminate their opponents without getting caught. For Maz, being chosen as a faithful felt like a relief—a chance to embrace his true nature, even if it wasn’t the rebellious role he’d initially desired. ‘I just wanted to do something a bit naughty,’ he admitted, ‘but faithful is my sort of character.’
And this is the part most people miss: Maz’s journey to the show was fueled by his five children, who repeatedly urged him to apply. ‘They kept saying, ‘Oh, dad, you’d be fab on this,’’ he recalled. After three seasons of deliberation, he finally took the plunge—a decision he now cherishes. But his path wasn’t without challenges. Maz found himself on the murder list three times before his dramatic elimination at the hands of the traitors. ‘I was absolutely gutted,’ he shared, reflecting on his growing bonds with fellow contestants and his love for the game.
But here’s the controversial bit: While Maz’s experience was undeniably thrilling, watching his own murder unfold on screen alongside his family was a mix of excitement and sheer terror. ‘I was petrified,’ he confessed, ‘but it was so exciting. What a journey, what a ride.’ Now, as the series continues, Maz is torn between rooting for Jessie, a fellow faithful, and Rachel, a cunning traitor. Who do you think deserves to win? Is it better to play it safe or embrace the thrill of deception?
New episodes of The Traitors air Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 20:00 GMT on BBC One, or catch up on BBC iPlayer (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0db9b2t/the-traitors). For more engaging content, tune into BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/curation/p0cjdttt) and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BBCLancashire/), X (https://twitter.com/bbclancashire), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/bbclancashire/). Got a story idea? Send it via WhatsApp to 0808 100 2230. Let’s keep the conversation going—who would you align with: the faithfuls or the traitors? Share your thoughts below!
